Blinded by the light: Revved up like a deuce ... wearing shades into the night?

Pioneer Press

Posted:
02/18/2013 12:01:00 AM CST

Writes California Girl of Maplewood: "While I'm sure the manufacturer thought it was a good idea to create headlights that would enable drivers to be seen and to see more clearly, I cannot tell you how many times I have almost gotten into accidents because I have been blinded by these halogen headlights!

"I would put it right up there with having your picture taken with a flashbulb a few times in a row and be expected to walk in a straight line without knocking into anything.

"So many times when an SUV is waiting to make their turn, I have to cover their lights with one hand so I can see where to turn into a lane without crashing into a curb or divider. I literally can't see to make that left turn!

"What were they thinking? Does anyone else have this problem? [Bulletin Board ahems: Ahem!]

"I am tempted to drive at night with my sunglasses on!"

Today's helpful hint

It comes from NoDak Farmboy Engr (Ret): "We've just learned our 'baby sister' has been diagnosed with early-stage dementia, in her 50s, after a three-year struggle with job loss, serious accidents, searching for items while 'lost' in her own kitchen, etc. It is so sad to see her deteriorate, unable to help -- since her husband is the only person allowed to control her treatment, having canceled several MRI tests that might've provided early clues for treatment.

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"Please don't avoid treatment! They followed the reasoning that 'No one WANTS to know if they have Alzheimer's. It's better to NOT know, since there's no cure!'

"Lately, we've learned that MOST early dementia is due to brain injury, not amyloid plaques, and in the last three days, we've learned about the lymphoma drug that reversed Alzheimer's in mice!

"ANY medical problem is better-diagnosed early! Sooner, the better!

"Thanks."

Our birds, our intrepid rural mail carriers, ourselves

Al B of Hartland: "Our intrepid rural mail carrier, Brad, reported seeing five bald eagles feeding on a deer carcass in a farm field not far from my hovel. Not long after that, I spotted a young bald eagle, very brown in color, eating an opossum on the road.

"The bald eagle is a member of the sea and fish eagle group. Even though it is a fish eater, it will take ducks or other prey that are available and easy to secure. In my experience, I have found that coots (mudhens) are a major prey item of eagles.

"A bald eagle can lift about one-half its weight. That would mean it could typically lift around four to six pounds. They do not generally feed on chickens or other domestic livestock, but they do make use of available food sources. They are opportunistic feeders that will eat carrion.

"When an eagle sees a fish swimming or floating near the surface, it moves in a shallow glide and snatches the fish out of the water with a quick swipe of its talons. Eagles can open and close their talons at will, but an eagle could be dragged into the water if a fish is too large to lift. Hunger might be the reason an eagle would refuse to release a fish. Eagles are strong swimmers, but in cold water, they may be overcome by hypothermia.

"Because of the energy expended during hunting, an eagle spends a lot of time resting. Mature adults have much higher success rates while hunting than do the younger birds.

"It's not just eagles, humans, bears, and wolves who enjoy venison. I watched a red-tailed hawk feeding on a dead deer near the Harkin Store. The Harkin Store is an 1870s general store where, when I walk into it, I feel the need to play a game of checkers. When the railroad bypassed the small town of West Newton, Minnesota, the Harkin Store was forced to close with much of the unsold inventory still on the shelves, where it remains today. The Nicollet County Historical Society manages the wonderful site.

"A friend from Faribault wrote to me about hanging a rib cage of a deer from a tree to make a feeder for the birds. He wrote, 'It is amazing how many woodpeckers, chickadees, and nuthatches peck away all winter. By spring the carcass will be picked clean and will be white in color.' "

Vanity, thy name is... (responsorial)

The most recent Thursday's Bulletin Board included a note from Red's Offspring, north of St. Paul: "When I spotted this personalized plate -- 'BITSY' -- I immediately searched -- without success -- for 'ITSY' and 'SPIDER.' "

We presently heard from IGHGrampa: "Might the car have been a Toyota Spyder, perhaps named Itsy?"

And from AJ's Mom of Casablanca-by-the-Sea: "Red's Offspring's sighting of the personalized plate 'Bitsy' made me wonder if the vanity plate could belong to a woman I knew a long time ago.

"When AJ's Dad and I first moved to the Cities, we lived in Maplewood, on Century Avenue, just down the street from Knowlan's supermarket. Bitsy, who was a little bit of a woman, barely 5 foot tall but wiry, lived across the hall. We were great neighbors and friends; nearly every day, her daughter, Sheridan, and Sheridan's brother (whose name is lost to me) would knock on my door when they came home from school, and we'd all hang out until AJ's Dad came home. Then we'd take the kids fishing or to a park or just down to the parking lot and fly our remote-control airplanes until their suppertime. On the weekends when they didn't see their dad, we'd take them to the movies. We all had a wonderful time; they were both incredibly fun and well-raised children.

"After we moved into St. Paul, on Van Buren, we saw them a few times, but the kids were getting older and we were getting busier. I hadn't thought of her or them in years. Thanks, Red's Offspring -- that was like a little gift."

Oopps!

Smilin' Sue: "Smilin' Sue is just wondering about what the job training and/or specific requirements might be for the help-wanted ad in yesterday's local paper: 'H... Inn is looking for dependable, friendly, energetic people with outstanding personality. We are accepting applications for the following position ... Housepeeper.' "

Shirts happen

Donald: "This one was left over from a Christmas catalog: '3 Wise Men? ... Be Serious.' "

The darnedest things

WARNING! Cute kid story ahead, from GramB of Nisswa: "Our friends' grandson Jamie is 4-1/2. This past summer, their family was blessed with a new little baby girl, Annalise Irene. Jamie just loves his baby sister, and often speaks to her very tenderly. 'Oh, I love you so much' and 'You are so beautiful' are often heard.

"One day Jamie was cooing lovingly to Annalise and added: 'There's just one thing. I am so sorry you don't have a penis ... but, don't worry, we can grow you one!' "